The Skystream, Next-Generation Backyard Wind Generator, Awarded a 2006 Best of What’s New Award from Popular Science in the Home Category

The ultimate Popular Science accolade, Best of What’s New represents a year’s worth of work evaluating thousands of technologies

FLAGSTAFF - AZ, November 7, 2006/PRNewswire/ -- Today Southwest Windpower announced its newest product, the Skystream 3.7™, has been awarded a 2006 Best of What’s New Award from Popular Science in the Home category. Each year, Popular Science reviews thousands of new products and innovations and includes the top 100 winners in its annual Best of What’s New issue. To win, a product or technology must represent a significant step forward in its category.

“Best of What’s New is the ultimate Popular Science accolade, representing a year’s worth of work evaluating thousands of projects,” said Mark Jannot, editor of Popular Science. “These awards honor innovations that not only influence the way we live today, but that change the way we think about the future.”

Skystream is a next-generation residential power appliance that hooks up to the home to help reduce or eliminate monthly electricity costs. Skystream is the first compact, user-friendly, all-inclusive wind generator (with controls and inverter built in) designed to provide quiet, clean electricity in very low winds. With Skystream, homeowners and small business owners now have the power to choose their electricity source.

“Skystream will change how Americans power their homes with clean wind energy,” said Andy Kruse, co-founder of Southwest Windpower. “This is a dream our company has had for some time. Now, with Skystream, grid-connected residential wind energy is finally mainstream.”

Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Skystream was designed to be a quiet, convenient, affordable way to protect homeowners from rising electricity costs. With no batteries, Skystream connects directly to the home. When the wind is blowing, the home is powered (in part) by Skystream; when it’s not, the home is seamlessly powered by the utility as usual. During periods of strong winds, Skystream can actually produce excess electricity. Depending on the utility, the home’s meter spins backwards—giving the homeowner credit for a later date, if net metering is allowed. Skystream produces energy at less than half the cost of any other renewable energy technology.

The Skystream will be featured in December’s Popular Science special editorial section, on news stands November 14. The Skystream will also be featured at the Popular Science Best of What’s New Showcase in New York Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall. The three-day consumer event is open to the public, beginning November 7.

About Southwest Windpower
Flagstaff Arizona-based Southwest Windpower is the world’s largest producer of small wind generators (400 to 3000 watts). The 20-year old company has been a pioneer in the development of wind technology and has produced over 90,000 generators that provide power to residential homes, remote cabins, telecom transmitters, offshore platforms, water pumping and sailboats. Southwest Windpower’s newest wind turbine, the Skystream 3.7, is the first fully-integrated wind generator designed specifically for the grid-connected residential market.  Southwest Windpower distributes in more than 88 countries. For more info send an E-mail to: billd@ecobuildsupply.com

 

 

 

AIR-X Land and Marine
The latest evolution in small wind turbines.

 
 
Southwest Windpower is pleased to introduce the latest evolution of the ever-popular AIR wind module. The new AIR-X builds on what has made the AIR 403 the word's number one selling small wind turbine with new technology previously found only in today's state-of-the-art, megawatt-class wind turbines. Thousands of hours of research and testing have gone into the design. We are confident you will love the improvement the AIR-X has to offer.
 
    The AIR-X features the following improvements:
     
  • Micro-processor based speed control -- Results in increased performance, improved battery charging capability and the elimination of "Flutter" noise from the machine.
  • Peak-power tracking of the wind by optimizing the alternator's output on all points of the cubic curve more efficiently delivers the available power to the batteries.
  • Smart controller -- controls the blade rotation speed thus eliminating the buzzing noise commonly found with the AIR 403 and 303 in high winds.
  • Carbon-reinforced blades with a modified pitch angle further increases power production.

 

The new electronics exclusive to the AIR-X are a considerable improvement over the previous AIR 403 controller that consisted of a simple diode rectification, on/off voltage switch. To you, this means:

  • Much Quieter Operation: Previous AIR wind modules relied on their aero-lastic blade design for protection in high winds, causing a loud flutter noise in winds much above 35 miles per hour (16 m/s). The AIR-X's control circuitry monitors the wind speed and slows the blades as it reaches its rated output preventing it from going into "flutter". This results in a much quieter wind turbine. In high winds the AIR-X will continue to produce power at a reduced level until the wind speed decreases, at which point the maximum output will be restored.
     
  • Improved Battery Charging: Previous AIR designs required 300-400 amp hour batter banks so that the trickle charge of the wind turbine could be adequately absorbed. The AIR-X's charge controller periodically stops charging and reads the battery voltage and compares the reading to the to the voltage setting. If the batter is fully charged, it completely stops all charging current to the battery. This function is performed within a few milliseconds. The closer the battery is to reaching its full state of charge, the more often the AIR-X's circuitry repeats this operation. This means that any battery from 25 - 25,000 amp hours can be safely charged. Additionally, the wind turbine provides visual cues by slowing the blades to almost a complete stop. Only, when the battery voltage drops below the controller's set point will the wind turbine resume charging.
     
  • Lower Stress Design: The AIR-X limits power on the input side of the electronics by controlling the torque from the blades. Excess power no longer has to be dissipated by the electronics, resulting in lower stress on the circuitry, bearings and other components. Furthermore, stress on wind turbines occurs primarily in high wind conditions. Under these conditions, the electronic stall circuitry reduces blade rotation to 600 rpm, thereby significantly reducing turbine and tower loading.

AIR 403 Land, Marine & Industrial
The latest evolution in small wind turbines.

 
 
The AIR 403 Wind Module produces over 400 watts (33 amps @ 12volts) in a 28 MPH wind-speed and starts producing power in winds of only 10 MPH. Its light weight and silent operation make it perfect for almost any application. The AIR 403's carbon matrix blades actually twist as the turbine reaches full output changing the blades shape causing it to maintain a constant speed.

AIR403 marine has fully sealed electronics, a highly corrosion-resistant powder coated finish and unique aircraft quality cast aluminum construction. This assures you years of maintenance-free operation. AIR marine has been proven at sea under demanding transatlantic race conditions. 

The AIR 403 is redesigned and completely refined! Boasting an incredible 30% increase in power output as compared to the AIR 303. The 403's increase in power is derived from an all new alternator using the latest in advanced Neodymium magnet technology and a new airfoil that approached theoretical limits. Together, the AIR's exclusive cubic curve alternator and unique airfoil provide maximum output at all wind-speeds. The AIR 403's operation is now much quieter as a result of the new alternator that reduces the blade tip speed.

    AIR marine Applications

  • Boats
  • Seaside homes
  • Yachts
  • Buoys
  • Recreational vehicles
  • Naval platforms
  • Island Power

    Features

  • Unprecedented 3 YEAR WARRANTY.
  • Sophisticated internal charge controller - Externally adjustable for any type of battery.
  • Variable pitch aero-elastic carbon matrix blades.
  • On Marine, quality powder coated aluminum body for maximum corrosion resistance and durability.
  • Exclusive Brush-less neodymium cubic curve alternator.
  • Safety protection electronics control voltage and rotor RPM.
  • Maintenance Free (only two moving parts).

 

Whisper H40 and H80 Wind Turbines
 

 H40 Logo - 3656 Bytes

Whisper, a name with more than 10 years of experience in the field, has been re-engineered and launched under the Southwest Windpower family of wind turbines. The Whisper has an all-new look featuring cast aluminum frame and smooth, quite operation of the patented "angle-governor" furling design.

The Whisper H40, with its 7' (2.1m) rotor diameter and 40 sq. ft. swept area, is designed for sites with moderate to high average wind speed (12 mph (5.4 m/s) and greater).

The redesigned H40 turbine incorporates an upgraded neodymium permanent magnet alternator, which combined with Whisper's high efficiency composite airfoil blade design, delivers 900 watts!

For 12 volt applications the H40 comes with the standard 120 amp EZ wire controller allowing for up to 600 watts of additional input for a solar/wind, hydro/wind hybrid system. Preset at the factory for 12 volts, the Standard EZ Wire is field adjustable for 24, 32 or 48 volt applications. The turbine and controller are included with the system, optional towers are available.

The all new EZ Wire II controller offers greater reliability and superior control for battery charging, with user adjustable voltage regulation set-points and isolation of the dump-load from the battery. All in one compact, safe cabinet design, the EZ Wire II controller comes preset for 24, 36 or 48 volt applications. The system voltage must be specified at the time of the order. The EZ Wire II Controller and load dump resistor are included in the new system at a lower price than before! Optional towers are available.

H40 Specifications

Rotor Diameter:

7' (2.1 meters)

Weight:

47 lbs (21 kg)

Mount:

2.5" Schedule 40

Start up windspeed:

7.5 mph (3.4 m/s)

Peak Power:

900 watts @ 28 mph (12.5 m/s)

Alternator:

PM 3 phase brushless

Output Voltage:

Factory Preset
Specify 12, 24, 32, 36 or 48 volts
 

 
Whisper 175 Wind Turbine
 Whisper, a name with more than 10 years of experience in the field, has been re-engineered and launched under the Southwest Windpower family of wind turbines. The Whisper has an all-new look featuring cast aluminum frame and smooth, quite operation of the patented "angle-governor" furling design.

Whisper 175 -The most powerful wind turbine in our lineup!

The new 175, a 3.2 KW rated turbine, can deliver in excess of 500 KWH per month at a site with a 12 mph average wind speed. The 175 boasts a 15 foot (4.26m) rotor diameter providing a total swept area of 175 sq. ft. Newly redesigned, the Whisper 175 incorporates a stronger, larger yaw shaft, new blade stabilizer straps and a third spindle bearing for increased reliability.

The largest wind turbine of the Whisper family delivers over 3200 watts for large power requirements. With 10 years of operational history, the Whisper 175 has proven itself to be quiet and reliable. Over 800 Whisper 175s have been installed providing a dependable power supply for people around the world. If you have a large energy demand, this is the machine for you. Depending on your site's average wind speed, the Whisper 175 can provide enough energy to operate your entire home.

The 175 features a hand-laid fiberglass and foam core blade for smooth, high efficiency operation and low wind start-up. It also incorporated the patented "angle governor" design for quite high-wind operation. The 175 is an excellent choice for village power projects, farms, ranched, back-up power systems and remote homes applications.

Standard with every Whisper 175, the EZ Wire controller allowing for additional input for a solar/wind, hydro/wind hybrid system. Preset at the factory for 48 volts, the 200 Amp EZ Wire is field adjustable for 24 or 32 volt applications. The turbine and controller are included with the system, optional towers are available.

  

175 Specifications

Rotor Diameter:

15' (4.5 meters)

Blades:

Carbon reinforced fiberglass

Weight:

155 lbs (70 kg)

Mount:

5" Schedule 40 (12.7 cm)

Start up wind-speed:

7 mph (3.1 m/s)

Peak Power:

3200 watts @ 28 mph (12 m/s)

Alternator:

PM 3 phase brush-less

Output Voltage:

Factory Preset to 48 volts
Switchable to 24, 32 or 48 volts

Warranty:

Two year parts replacement